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Author Biography
Steven R. Barnett is Executive Director at the Irvington Historical Society.
Steve Barnett was raised in Irvington. Steve attended School #57, Howe High School (’63), and received a degree from Purdue University (’70). He served in the Indiana National Guard. After a brief hiatus from Irvington, Steve returned to his home town in 1977 with his wife Sue so their three children could grow up in a family friendly environment.
Steve had the good fortune of working with U. S. Representative Andy Jacobs, Jr. and U. S. Representative Julia Carson in the Indianapolis Congressional District Office helping constituents.
After his retirement, Steve became the executive director of the Irvington Historical Society and curator of the Bona Thompson Memorial Center until 2025. Steve was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by Gov. Wallace G. Wilkinson for service to veterans, and he was appointed a Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Joseph Kernan for service to Indiana. In 2016, Steve was named Marion County Historian.
Steven R. Barnett’s Story Archive
World War I 100 Years Ago: June 12-19
From The Indianapolis Times, Wednesday, June 16, 1915: Finley P. Mount of Indianapolis, M. Rumley Co receiver, said today that no war munitions would be manufactured in Rumley plants regardless of the fact that Canadian authorities have offered contracts which might result in hundreds of thousands of dollars. As an … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: June 5-12
From The Indianapolis News, Monday, June 7, 1915: Boy Scout Troop 19 gave a program last night at Downey Avenue Christian Church that included signaling, fire building, and cooking. Church and community members had an opportunity to see what their boys have been doing in scout work and sample pancakes … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago This Week: June 5-12
From The Indianapolis News, Wednesday, June 9, 1915: L. S. Ayres & Co head Fred M. Ayres announced his department store is the first in the United States to receive an allotment of beautiful rare Belgian laces from the Belgian Relief Fund. Exquisite collars and dainty edgings – laces by … Read More
The Civil War 150th Anniversary: May 1865
ndianapolis continued to be draped in sorrow as the month began. The city hall, “profusely decorated” with wreaths, garlands, streamers, and flags, stood along with commercial buildings festooned with the colors of the national banner and portraits of Lincoln, shrouded in mourning. Black and white cloth trimmed windows and cornices … Read More
One Hundred Years Ago: May 22 and May 29
From The Indianapolis Times, Tuesday, May 25, 1915: Members of the Irvington Civic Association turned out last night with their shovels, lawnmowers, scythes and sickles and cleaned Audubon Rd from Washington St to the C. H. & D (today’s CSX) Railway. The sidewalks were swept and repaired, bricks and rubbish … Read More